22 Container Gardens in Bloom

The best part? Minimal weeding.

Updated on November 9, 2022

Grow Vegetables in Containers

A vegetable container garden in front of a white door — Ngoc Minh Ngo

To grow vegetables in containers, look for varieties with words like bush, baby, dwarf, tiny, and patio in their names. They breed to be compact.

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Let Plants Flourish in Their Natural Conditions

Several outdoor plants in terra cotta containers arranged on stairs — Richard Felber

Before heading to the nursery, study the area you’ve picked for your container garden. Is it sunny or shady? Then find plants that will flourish in those conditions.

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Choose Appropriate Containers

Three Potted Plants in Front of Windows Staggered on Tables with White Watering Can — Ngoc Minh Ngo

Terra-cotta pots are ideal for container plants because their porous walls let air and water easily move through, so roots grow healthy.

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Plant Multiple Herbs Together

Potted herb garden in front of white door with blue gardening gloves on floor — Ngoc Minh Ngo

You can plant an assortment of herbs in one pot so long as their care requirements are compatible.

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Create a Visually Appealing Entrance

Yellow front door with potted plants on either side — Aimee Herring

Potted plants flanking an entry door are warm and welcoming.

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Play With the Arrangement of Pots

Three plants in blue pots of different sizes — Richard Felber

Place a large pot in the center of a display, accented with smaller pots for balance.

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Decorate Your Space

Seven smaller plants in yellow pots — Richard Felber

Create a "centerpiece" for your porch by grouping varieties of the same species planted in similar pots.

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Create a Dramatic Driveway

Line of four white pots with tall ornamental grass — Richard Felber

Matching pots planted with ornamental grass lend drama to a driveway or path.

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Divide Your Outdoor Space

Outdoor potted plants along edge of lawn near a tree — Richard Felber

Use potted plants to define an outdoor space: In this photo, they separate the patio from the lawn.

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Use Ceramic Pots for Moisture

Two glazed ceramic blue planters with white flowers on a white wooden deck — Mark Lund

Ceramic pots are porous, allowing roots to breathe, and a glazed finish helps conserve moisture.

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Try a Wall Garden

White wall garden with potted plants hanging on it — Richard Felber

Mounted plants cheer up a bare wall. Hang an even number for a formal look or an odd number for a more relaxed feel.

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Hang Your Garden

Hanging potted flower plant — Richard Felber

For an effortless hanging garden, try mini petunias. They never need deadheading, and they thrive in the sun or a mix of sun and shade.

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Repurpose Interesting Containers

Succulents planted in a gray stone birdbath — Beatriz Da Costa

An old birdbath makes a perfect new home for shallow-rooted succulents.

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Use Potted Plants as a Screen

Potted and container plants lined up as a screen next to outdoor seating in a patio — Minh & Wass

Create an oasis in your yard by arranging potted plants into a sheltering screen.

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Double-Check Drainage in Pots

Two cast-iron planters with green plants on a white wooden deck — Mark Lund

When potting ivy, make sure the containers have enough depth to allow for proper drainage.

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Move Plants According to Season

Green plant with blue flowers in a wooden box container on the floor — Ellen Silverman

During the winter, you can force bulbs to bloom indoors (like the Christmas Pearl grape hyacinths shown here), then replant outside come spring.

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Encourage Blooming With Crafty Tactics

Lilies in bloom planted in glass jar containers — Ellen Silverman

Pungently fragrant paperwhite narcissus are easy to coax into blooming indoors. Use tall containers with no drainage holes.

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Consider Non-Traditional Containers

Multiple plants in an enclosed terrarium — Lisa Hubbard

A terrarium―which lets greens live in a self-sufficient environment―is a no-fuss way to garden.

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Start Your Garden With a Terrarium

Potted plant inside a terrarium — Lisa Hubbard

A humidity-loving tropical houseplant, such as a maidenhair fern or a flame violet, will thrive in a bell-jar terrarium.

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Start Small for Container Gardens

Red clover planted in a white ceramic pitcher sitting on a gold tray — Ellen Silverman

Purple shamrock makes the tiniest indoor container garden when planted in a ceramic pitcher with drilled added drainage holes.

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Seek Beauty in All Parts of a Plant

Tiarella jeepers in a glass container with roots exposed — Wendell T. Webber

A tangle of roots exposed in a glass cylinder can be just as eye-catching as the leaves above.

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Water Plants Properly

Group of indoor potted plants on pedestals, the floor, and a table — Ngoc Minh Ngo

Always empty saucers after you water plants: Letting pots sit in water can damage roots.

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22 Container Gardens in Bloom That Will Make You Start Gardening